What Is Security Testing?
Security testing involves evaluating a computing system’s security features to ensure they function properly and protect the application’s users and data. It typically involves checking for vulnerabilities, identifying risks, and assessing other aspects of security. The goal of the process is to discover potential security breaches, misconfigurations, and malicious code which could compromise the system. Security testing methods include penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and code reviewss.
Conducting security tests is crucial to secure computing systems and applications against both internal and external threats. It shifts the focus from just delivering functional software or IT services to delivering secure, functional systems. By incorporating these tests during the development and delivery lifecycle, teams can rectify vulnerabilities early, reducing potential damage and costs associated with post-deployment fixes.
Key benefits of security testing include:
- Sensitive data protection: Security testing identifies and mitigates vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches. Sensitive information such as personal details, financial data, and intellectual property must be safeguarded to prevent unauthorized access, data leaks, and other security incidents.
- Improves stakeholder trust: When customers and other stakeholders know their data is protected, they are more likely to trust and engage with a company’s products and services. Conversely, security breaches can severely damage a company’s reputation, customer trust, and financial standing.
- Supports compliance efforts: Regulations and industry standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS require organizations to adhere to strict security standards. Security testing helps in ensuring that the application meets these legal and regulatory requirements, avoiding costly fines and penalties for non-compliance.
In this article:
- 7 Criteria to Test for in Security Testing
- Common Types of Security Testing Tools
- Best Practices for Effective Security Testing
7 Criteria to Test for in Security Testing
1. Confidentiality
Confidentiality in security testing ensures that sensitive data is accessed only by authorized users. Security measures such as encryption, authentication, and access controls help maintain this confidentiality. Regular testing verifies that these measures are effective, thereby preventing unauthorized access to confidential information.
2. Integrity
Integrity in security testing guarantees that the data remains unaltered and accurate, safeguarding it from unauthorized modifications. Hash functions, checksums, and digital signatures are techniques used to ensure data integrity. Testing these methods ensures that only authorized alterations can be made and all data remains trustworthy.
3. Authentication
Authentication verifies the identity of users accessing the system, ensuring only authorized individuals gain access. Various techniques such as passwords, biometric scans, and multi-factor authentication are employed. Security testing evaluates the effectiveness of these authentication mechanisms to guard against unauthorized access.
4. Authorization
Authorization determines what resources and data an authenticated user can access. Role-based access control (RBAC) and attribute-based access control (ABAC) are common methods. Security testing verifies that these authorization policies are correctly implemented and enforced, thereby safeguarding sensitive information and resources.
5. Availability
Availability ensures that systems and applications are accessible and functional when needed. This involves testing for potential downtime, assessing resilience against attacks such as distributed denial of service (DDoS), and ensuring redundant systems are in place. Security testing also checks for quick recovery mechanisms to restore services promptly after an incident.
6. Non-Repudiation
Non-repudiation in security testing ensures that actions and transactions can be traced back to their origin. Techniques such as digital signatures and audit logs help maintain this non-repudiation. Regular security testing checks these traces for authenticity and ensures that they have not been tampered with.
7. Resilience
Resilience in security testing refers to the system’s ability to withstand and recover from security incidents. This includes testing incident response plans, backup systems, and recovery processes. Regular resilience testing ensures that the organization’s response to incidents is swift and effective, minimizing damage and downtime.
Common Types of Security Testing Tools
SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
Static application security testing (SAST) analyzes source code for vulnerabilities without executing the application. It identifies coding errors that could lead to security breaches. This method enables developers to detect and fix issues early in the development lifecycle, which reduces the cost and complexity of resolving these vulnerabilities later.
SAST tools integrate with development environments, providing real-time feedback. They help enforce secure coding practices consistently, leading to more secure applications. Regular use of SAST tools ensures that code remains secure from the outset, enhancing overall application security.
DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
Dynamic application security testing (DAST) evaluates applications in their running state. Unlike SAST, DAST tests for security flaws while the application is operational. This method mimics the actions of an attacker to uncover vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other runtime issues.
DAST tools do not require access to the source code, making them suitable for testing web services and APIs. Continuous DAST testing helps identify and mitigate security flaws in real-time, reducing the risk of exploitation in live environments.
IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing)
Interactive application security testing (IAST) combines SAST and DAST methodologies to provide a security analysis. IAST tools work inside the application, analyzing and continuously monitoring the code flow and interactions. This method offers detailed insights into where vulnerabilities occur and allows for immediate remediation.
IAST is particularly effective in finding complex vulnerabilities that static and dynamic tests may miss. By combining both methodologies, IAST provides a more accurate assessment of the application’s security posture, enabling more targeted and effective mitigation strategies.
SCA (Software Composition Analysis)
Software composition analysis (SCA) identifies vulnerabilities in third-party components and open-source libraries integrated into an application. SCA tools scan the application’s dependencies and notify developers about known vulnerabilities, license compliance issues, and outdated components.
By using SCA tools, organizations can proactively manage the security and legal risks associated with using third-party software. Regular scans help ensure that all components are up-to-date and compliant, significantly reducing the threat landscape.
MAST (Mobile Application Security Testing)
Mobile application security testing (MAST) focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in mobile applications. MAST tools test for platform-specific vulnerabilities, insecure data storage, improper session handling, and other mobile-specific security issues. Both static and dynamic analysis methods are used to ensure comprehensive testing.
Ensuring mobile application security is crucial, given the increasing use of mobile devices for sensitive transactions. MAST helps organizations protect user data and maintain trust by providing a secure mobile app environment.
RASP (Runtime Application Self-Protection)
Runtime application self-protection (RASP) monitors and protects applications in real-time by embedding security controls within the application during runtime. It can identify and mitigate attacks instantly, providing continuous protection without the need for external intervention.
RASP enhances the security posture by adapting to new threats and vulnerabilities dynamically. It offers immediate defense mechanisms, making applications resilient against attacks and reducing the response time to security incidents.
Best Practices for Effective Security Testing
Shift Security Testing Left
Shifting security testing left involves integrating security practices early in the software development lifecycle (SDLC). By embedding security testing from the initial phases of design and coding, developers can identify and resolve vulnerabilities before they become critical issues. This proactive approach reduces the likelihood of security flaws making it to production, thereby minimizing the cost and effort required for post-deployment fixes.
Adopting a shift-left strategy encourages a security-first mindset among development teams. Tools like static application security testing (SAST) can be used during coding to catch vulnerabilities in real-time. Continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines can include automated security checks, ensuring that each code change is verified for security compliance before merging. This integration leads to more secure software and fosters a culture of security awareness throughout the development process.
Conduct Comprehensive Testing Throughout Development
Conducting security tests at various stages of the SDLC is essential for uncovering different types of vulnerabilities. This includes static testing during development, dynamic testing during staging, and interactive testing in pre-production environments. Combining these approaches ensures that the application is scrutinized from multiple angles, improving the overall security posture.
Developers should employ tools like dynamic application security testing (DAST) to simulate attacks on running applications. Additionally, manual penetration testing by security experts can uncover complex vulnerabilities that automated tools might miss. Regular and thorough testing helps in identifying and mitigating risks promptly, ensuring that security is continuously validated throughout the development process.
Perform Comprehensive Risk Assessments
Comprehensive risk assessments involve evaluating the potential threats and vulnerabilities within an application and their potential impact. By understanding the risk landscape, organizations can prioritize their security efforts effectively, focusing on the most critical areas that could cause significant damage if exploited.
Risk assessments should be conducted periodically and include threat modeling, vulnerability scanning, and impact analysis. These assessments help in identifying the likelihood of various threats and their potential consequences, enabling the development of targeted mitigation strategies. A thorough risk assessment provides a clear understanding of the security posture, guiding the allocation of resources to areas that need the most attention.
Monitor and Analyze Security Metrics
Monitoring and analyzing security metrics is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of security measures and identifying areas for improvement. Key metrics such as the number of vulnerabilities detected, time to resolve security issues, and the frequency of security incidents provide valuable insights into the application’s security health.
Organizations should implement continuous monitoring tools to track these metrics in real-time. Analyzing trends over time helps in identifying patterns, understanding the root causes of recurring issues, and measuring the impact of security initiatives. Regularly reviewing and acting on these metrics ensures that security practices evolve to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities effectively.
Collaborating with Security Experts
Collaboration between developers, IT operations staff, and security experts, a paradigm known as DevSecOps, brings specialized knowledge and skills to the development process, enhancing the overall security of the application. Security experts can provide valuable insights into potential vulnerabilities, best practices, and the latest threat landscape, ensuring that the development team is well-informed and prepared.
Regular engagement with security professionals through code reviews, penetration testing, and security training sessions helps in building a robust security framework. This collaboration ensures that security is not just an afterthought but an integral part of the development process, leading to more secure and resilient applications.
Regularly Updating and Maintaining Security Measures
Regular updates and maintenance of security measures are essential to protect against evolving threats. Security is a dynamic field, with new vulnerabilities and attack vectors emerging constantly. Keeping security tools, libraries, and protocols up-to-date is crucial for maintaining a robust defense against these threats.
Organizations should establish a routine schedule for updating software dependencies, applying security patches, and revisiting security policies. Continuous education and training for development teams on the latest security practices and threat intelligence ensure that they are equipped to handle new challenges. Regular maintenance and updates reinforce the security posture, making the application resilient to both known and emerging threats.
Security Testing with Bright Security
Bright Security helps address the shortage of security personnel, enabling AppSec teams to provide governance for security testing, and enabling every developer to run their own security tests.
Brightempowers developers to incorporate an automated Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), earlier than ever before, into their unit testing process so they can resolve security concerns as part of their agile development process. Bright’s DAST platform integrates into the SDLC fully and seamlessly:
- Test results are provided to the CISO and the security team, providing complete visibility into vulnerabilities found and remediated
- Tickets are automatically opened for developers in their bug tracking system so they can be fixed quickly
- Every security finding is automatically validated, removing false positives and the need for manual validation
Bright Security can scan any target, whether Web Apps, APIs (REST/GraphQL) to help enhance DevSecOps and achieve regulatory compliance with our real-time, false positive free actionable reports of vulnerabilities. In addition, our ML-based DAST solution provides an automated solution to identify Business Logic Vulnerabilities.Learn more about Bright Security testing solutions.
